Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive Ian Ritchie insists he never thought about quitting the role in the wake of England's disappointing Rugby World Cup earlier this year.

England became the first host nation of the tournament to fail to qualify from their pool, as Wales and Australia progressed to the last eight in their stead.

That failure led to the departure of head coach Stuart Lancaster and his backroom staff, but Ritchie says he never considered his own future.

The RFU has since appointed former Japan coach Eddie Jones as Lancaster's successor, as England prepare for the Six Nations which begins in February.

"When you say 'consider', did you mean did I consider resigning? No, because I think accountability and responsibility - you don't duck them when the going gets hard," Ritchie told the Sunday Telegraph.

"I obviously thought a lot about what happened in terms of when we recruited Stuart in the first place.

"Of course you think about what the situation was in 2011 and into early 2012.

"We saw a complete range of candidates then and we felt Stuart was the best candidate. I felt he was and so did the advisory group that was there as well.

"Eddie was the only person we offered the job to. When Stuart was appointed, I think the general view was that this was a good appointment.

"I think that most people seem to think Eddie is a good appointment.

"You need to make sure you make the right appointments at the right time with integrity and honesty, and I think that's what has happened."